Horse Riders back their own Road Safety
Press Release for Pass Wide & Slow NZ Awareness Rides 2025
Horse riders and carriage drivers across Aotearoa New Zealand will ride in solidarity with equestrians across the World this month to promote a life saving road safety message.
On 13 and 14 September, New Zealanders along with riders in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Western Australia and America will collectively raise awareness about how to safely approach and pass a horse on the road.
“Horse riders are vulnerable road users, just like cyclists and pedestrians, and yet until the creation of the permanent road safety platform – Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand – there has been little to no road safety education for this road user group,”
Kotahitanga – unity is a Māori philosophy that underpins our approach to improving road safety outcomes for equestrians, and our relationship with NZ Police is significant in achieving this.
“We continue to encourage all road users about the shared responsibility to keep everyone safe. Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand’s efforts to educate and raise awareness of safe and respectful behaviours when travelling past horses and riders is one Police continues to support.”
Police have an ongoing commitment to reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and ensuring every road user, including equestrians, remain safe on roads right throughout the country. NZ Police
PWASNZ rides will take place in 30 communities across the Motū, with a focus on sharing the message to pass wide and slow - kia tūpato kia āta haere, hi- vis and ‘being seen’.
“As the brand and marketing arm of PWASNZ, we appreciate the collaborative relationships we have established to help share this important road safety message. Fonterra’s recent investment in hi-vis vests, a two page spread in the Foundation Rider Magazine, or Motivation Design where our resources can be purchased. With no budget but a resolve to not see further loss of life or injury, we are two wāhine working very hard and covering a lot of ground”
PWASNZ Ambassadors Aurora and Moose proud to celebrate the PWASNZ / Fonterra Hi Vis Vests - these vests have been sent across Aotearoa to help keep riders seen on our roads.
List of official Pass Wide & Slow Awareness Rides 2025
Amberley - Cambridge - Cust - Dannevirke - Fairlie - Greymouth - Hastings - Hokianga- Hokitika - Kaitaia- Lincoln - Mākara Pony Club - Manawaru - Māpua - Martinborough - New Plymouth - Ōhāriu Valley - Onslow Pony Club - Ōpōtiki - Oxford - Raglan- Tasman - Tauranga- Te Kaha - Uawa - Waimakariri - Wellington City - Westport
2025 PWASNZ Awareness Rider leading by example in hi-vis gear.